10 Best Isekai Anime
Isekai anime, where characters are transported from their everyday lives to fantastical worlds, has become a major genre in anime. Whether through magical portals, reincarnation, or strange accidents, these series offer unique takes on survival, adventure, and sometimes even comedy.
From epic battles to lighthearted moments, the worlds in these stories are richly imagined, with characters gaining incredible abilities and facing new challenges. Here are ten of the best isekai anime, ranked by their popularity, that fans of the genre won’t want to miss.
10. No Game No Life
Siblings Sora and Shiro, known for their unbeatable gaming skills, are transported to Disboard, a world where every conflict is settled through games instead of war. Here, they must outsmart the most powerful beings to take control of the world and eventually challenge its god, Tet.
Using their intelligence and teamwork, they navigate tricky competitions ranging from chess to word games. The stakes are high, as losing means giving up their freedom, while winning could mean rewriting the very rules of existence in this colorful, game-driven reality.
9. The Saga of Tanya the Evil
In an alternate world reminiscent of World War I, Tanya Degurechaff, a ruthless salaryman reincarnated as a young girl, finds herself as a soldier in the Imperial Army. Blessed—or cursed—by a god she refers to as Being X, Tanya uses her sharp intellect and magical prowess to rise through the military ranks.
Her cold-hearted determination to survive and secure a peaceful life leads to intense battlefield encounters, where she commands with brutal efficiency. As she fights to avoid Being X's manipulations, Tanya’s tactical brilliance shapes the course of this dark, war-torn world.
8. Overlord
Momonga, a veteran player of the DMMORPG Yggdrasil, decides to stay logged in as the game’s servers shut down. To his surprise, he’s not logged out and instead remains in the game as his avatar, the undead overlord Ainz Ooal Gown.
With the NPCs of the Great Tomb of Nazarick now sentient, Momonga begins to explore this new world. As the powerful ruler of Nazarick, he seeks to learn if anyone else from the game has also been transported here while asserting his dominance over the land with devastating magic and loyal followers.
7. That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime
Satoru Mikami, an ordinary office worker, is unexpectedly killed and reincarnated as a slime in a fantasy world. Now known as Rimuru Tempest, he gains unique abilities, including the power to absorb and mimic others.
As Rimuru, he forms alliances with various races and builds a powerful nation. His friendly and kind nature, along with his growing powers, help him bring peace to warring factions. From befriending dragons to gaining the respect of demon lords, Rimuru’s journey is one of growth, diplomacy, and increasing influence in a vibrant world full of magic.
6. Re:Zero–Starting Life in Another World
Subaru Natsuki’s sudden transportation to the fantasy kingdom of Lugnica offers him no superpowers—except the ability to reset time upon death. Each time Subaru dies, he rewinds to a specific point in the past, allowing him to change events through trial and error.
He forms relationships with Emilia, a half-elf vying for the throne, and her loyal companions. But Subaru’s power is a heavy burden, as the pain and suffering from each death carry over. This time-looped quest to protect Emilia and her friends is filled with psychological tension and unexpected dangers.
5. The Rising of the Shield Hero
Naofumi Iwatani is summoned to the kingdom of Melromarc as one of four Cardinal Heroes tasked with defending the world from Waves of catastrophic monsters. Armed with only a shield, Naofumi is quickly betrayed and falsely accused of a crime, leaving him scorned by society.
Forced to rely on his own strength and a few allies like Raphtalia, a demi-human slave, Naofumi becomes stronger through hardship. His shield, which others see as weak, proves to be an invaluable tool, allowing him to defend and survive in this hostile, unforgiving world.
4. Sword Art Online
In the year 2022, 10,000 players are trapped inside the virtual reality game Sword Art Online, where death in the game means death in real life. Kirito, a skilled solo player, must clear 100 floors of Aincrad’s floating castle to escape.
Along the way, he builds alliances and bonds with fellow players like Asuna. Each battle and challenge brings them closer to their goal. With its life-or-death stakes and stunning world design, Sword Art Online offers a thrilling mix of action, strategy, and emotional moments as the characters fight for freedom.
3. The Devil Is a Part-Timer!
After losing a major battle in the demon realm of Ente Isla, Demon Lord Satan is forced to flee through a portal to modern-day Tokyo, where his powers are weakened. Now known as Sadao Maou, he takes a part-time job at a fast-food restaurant while plotting his return to power.
Meanwhile, his rival, Hero Emilia, follows him to Earth but finds herself stuck in a similar predicament. As Sadao adjusts to his new life as a human, the humorous contrast between his dark ambitions and his mundane work life makes this series stand out.
2. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
After a tragic life on Earth, a 34-year-old NEET is reincarnated as Rudeus Greyrat in a fantasy world with magical abilities. Determined to make the most of his second chance, Rudeus dedicates himself to learning magic from a young age.
His new life is full of opportunities for adventure, from studying with a skilled magician named Roxy to forming bonds with strong companions. As Rudeus matures, he faces challenges that test his growth. The richly detailed world, combined with Rudeus’ quest for redemption, creates a narrative that feels grounded despite its fantastical elements.
1. Konosuba: God's Blessing on This Wonderful World!
Kazuma Satou, an unlucky gamer, dies in a ridiculous accident and is given the chance to be reborn in a fantasy world by the goddess Aqua. Choosing Aqua to join him, they soon realize their new life is far from what they expected.
Joined by an explosive-loving mage, Megumin, and a masochistic knight, Darkness, Kazuma’s quest to defeat the Demon King turns into a series of comedic misadventures. Their lack of common sense and bizarre approach to solving problems leads to endless chaos. This series excels in humor, subverting typical isekai tropes with its quirky characters.
